October was fifth warmest on record for Charlotte

The average Earth temperature during the month of October tied with 2008 as the fifth warmest October on record.

The average global temperature over land was just over 1.1 degrees above the 20th century average of 57.1 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abnormally warm temperatures were reported in Southwestern and Northeastern North America along with most of South America and parts of Europe and Asia. A heat wave brought record warmth to large areas in Brazil and Bolivia. Record heat was also present in southern India.

Much of the United States east of the Rockies saw normal to slightly below normal temperatures including the Carolinas.

The warmest October occurred in 2003. The coldest worldwide average temperature for the month of October occurred back in 1912.

Like the temperatures, precipitation also varied widely across the globe. Australia saw less than half the average rainfall expected for the month; the tenth driest October since 1900. In South Australia, only 18 percent of the average monthly total actually fell.

Areas affected by Sandy saw the opposite. The storm dumped heavy rainfall from the Caribbean and along the eastern seaboard. The storm was also responsible for early season blizzard conditions in the Central and Southern Appalachian mountains, shattering snowfall records in those areas.